In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has initiated the demolition of the White House East Wing, a move that contradicts his earlier assurances to preserve the historic structure. The East Wing, which housed the first lady’s office and ceremonial spaces, is being torn down to make way for a sprawling 90,000-square-foot ballroom, a project that significantly alters the iconic building’s profile. Trump, known for his bold and often controversial decisions, dismissed the East Wing as “never thought of as being much” and described it as “a very small building.” The demolition, expected to be completed by this weekend, marks the largest renovation to the White House in decades. The ballroom, now estimated to cost $300 million—$100 million more than initially projected—will nearly double the size of the White House residence. Trump initially pledged that the East Wing would remain untouched, stating in July that the new construction would “pay total respect to the existing building.” However, further evaluation revealed that demolishing the East Wing was both cheaper and more structurally sound than building an addition. The West Wing and the White House residence remain unaffected by the project. This decision has sparked debate, highlighting Trump’s determination to leave a lasting imprint on the White House, even if it means overriding traditional sensibilities.